As most of my friends know, I love rock and metal music. It's been a love of mine since I was about 13. I can't get enough of an awesome double bass drummer. BUT, I felt like kind of an outcast because when I was in 14 I was taught in church that rock music was satanic. One comment from a kid in my Sunday school stuck with me, he called the people that listened to that music "freaks", basically he called me a freak. I was so angry, I called it quits with that class. I couldn't take it anymore.
The amazing part is the love of that genre led me to my husband. He was in a band that played in my town for a festival. We didn't talk much until we both became single years later. The fact that he could play guitar and play it very well, was definitely a plus!
Anyways, to the point I'm trying to make. I found out about Welcome to Rockville and I immediately told Jesse that we needed to go to this. I looked up the ticket prices and saw that the 2 day passes were $109. $218+hotel+gas+food=NOPE! So I decided to enter the share contest on Rock 100.5's Facebook page. They announced winners every Thursday at 1:05PM. The first Thursday I sat out in my car and ate lunch just to see if I had won. Of course, I didn't. On Thursday's I volunteer as basically the office manager at the Samaritan's clinic. That night, I received a phone call from a lady who was crying and saying her eyesight was failing, she could no longer read the Bible she had because the print was too small. So I told her that we would see her on the following Thursday and that I would make sure she got a large print Bible. That Thursday came and I thought "she probably won't even come by, should I even buy this Bible for her?" but I knew that this was something I needed to stick with. It was my word. I walked into Wal-Mart and went to the Bible section, there was 3 different print sizes. Regular, large, and giant. I looked at them and the large print just seemed too small, the giant was almost ten dollars more but I knew if I was going to do something for someone I was going to do it right. Like I was doing it for Jesus. So, I purchased the giant print Bible. As I left the store my phone went off, it was a friends request from a person that worked at Rock 100.5. I accepted, then I got this on my timeline with a comment saying "Do you know what this means?"
Of course, I was about flipping out! Then, he sent me a message to call the radio station, so I did. I spoke with him about what I was doing that day, then he asked how I would you like to see Korn, Seether, Staind, Avenged Sevenfold, etc....I would love that, that's kinda why I entered the contest. He told me I won the tickets and told me where to pick them up. I went to the WTVY building and went up to the 8th floor. I was given the tickets and took a photo. I was then lead into a room and told I was going to do a promo for winning the contest and share how easy it was to win. Me speaking on the radio?!? No sir! I hate being on the spot! But he made it easy and told me what to say. It sounded so bad to me, but oh well, I wanted to get it over with. I talked to him about how blown away I was about winning it and the bible thing with the lady. I also got to talk to him about Haiti. We shared stories about how different it is being here and being in a third world country. Finally, the promo was done, YAY!! He gave me some T-shirts and told me to enjoy the concert. I left and headed to the clinic, since it was Thursday. The lady was there and I gave her the Bible. She hugged me and told me how thankful she was that I was doing this for her. It was such a blessing for me to be able to give her a chance see what she was reading.
Some might think I am completely insane for thinking that God would bless me with tickets to this concert. But, I think otherwise. As soon as I got in my car and drove away from Wal-Mart I got a friends request and that picture. I feel as though God may have bigger plans than just attending the concert. It might not be the "Christian" thing to do to listen to secular music, but since when have I ever followed rules :) There could be someone at that concert that needs someone to listen to their problems. I would be lying if I said I was just going to the concert to see if there was someone in need. This concert has an amazing line up of bands I have listened to since I was younger, but what if there's one person there that needs love, an open heart, acceptance, and God? Am I going to be looking for it? Probably not....but, if God reveals that person to me then who am I to say no? If we seclude ourselves to nothing but church and church people, who are we reaching? In no way am I saying I will be the only Christian out there. There could be hundreds! Is your Christianity shown by what you wear, what music you listen to, or how many times you go to church? In my opinion, no, That's religion. It comes from the love you show other people and to be honest, I have seen some amazing amounts of love come from bikers, rock stars, skaters, and those that listen to those bands. We get a bad rep for having tattoos, wearing black band shirts, having piercings, and/or listening to heavy metal, but we can and have been the most loving and caring people you could ever meet. Just like some church people can be the most hateful and judgmental people you have ever met. It depends on the person. Love doesn't come from Satan it comes from God, so the next time you see a guy with a huge mohawk that's covered in tattoos walking an old lady across the street, just think....that's not someone to be judged because they have different preferences than you, he could be the biggest Jesus follower you know.
Signed,
Freak :)
